The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Aug. 29, 1989
Filed:
Apr. 22, 1988
Gary P East, Santa Barbara, CA (US);
Stephen W Laguette, Goleta, CA (US);
Alfons Heindl, Goleta, CA (US);
Leanne M Lintula, Santa Barbara, CA (US);
Pudenz-Schulte Medical Research Corp., Goleta, CA (US);
Abstract
A surgically implantable shunt system, including a flow control valve and an antechamber, is provided for controlling the release of entrapped body fluids. The flow control valve includes a pair of molded plastic bases situated, respectively, adjacent to an inlet and an outlet of the valve, which bases are situated within a flexible encasement. Each base includes an outer housing, a valve membrane carrier positioned within the housing, and a flow control member. The flow control members each include a rigid nail-like central support and a separate flexible resilient membrane positioned on the central support. A first flow control member is capable of selectively occluding the valve inlet, but is normally spaced from its base to permit free fluid flow through the inlet. The second flow control member is generally arch-shaped and resiliently biased to contact its respective base generally along the outer edge of the membrane in a manner permitting only controlled one-way flow through the valve. The antechamber permits injection of medication into the shunt between a proximal catheter and the distal flow control valve, and pumping of the medication in either direction. Additionally, a method for assembling the shunt system in a quick and economical manner is provided, which utilizes tapered grommets to anchor components in place prior to adhesively securing tubing to the flexible encasement.